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So we asked our Rapid Responders: “If the candidates were younger, would there be as much of a fuss? Why is it so often that the nominees for both parties are in an age range where most of their cohort is considering retirement? There is a minimum age for eligibility for the presidency. Should there be a maximum age?”

Age brings wisdom ( hopefully) but also brings greater risk of medical “surprises”, so I think there should be a maximum age for the presidency.

It seems there are no limits on ambition for some seniors for political power, to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming president, or to try to change the direction of a failing economy. But age can bring limits on continued presidential health.

— Sunny Mills, Keizer

Yes, there should be age limits. Sixty should be tops. As is seen on our Supreme Court, you cannot do a good job if you are so old you are falling asleep at the switch. What is wrong with our nation and political parties that these two are the best we can do? Surely there must be someone younger who would do a better job.

— Cheryl Eby, Salem

I am not in favor of a maximum age for presidential candidates. Important attributes such as wisdom, experience, restraint, diplomacy, compassion and even stamina are not strongly associated with youth.

Let the voters decide after having access to pertinent records. Candidates, choose your running mate wisely and give us all the facts we need to make an informed decision!

I’ve always said our SCOTUS justices should have terms, rather than serve for life. To see Ginsburg practically croaking on the bench, drooling during dissent/opinions and falling asleep at SOTU, presidents should have a maximum age.

To be sharp and wise is one thing, but to be blinded and out of touch with society is bad for the highest office and political leadership.

— Greg Machado, Salem

I have no qualms about someone 18-20 years younger than me running for public office. My main criterion is the ability to be right for our country.

Of the current candidates, one seems to be running for personal power, the other for improving our country and its economy. The latter approach seems to me to be the better one for our future. It appears that candidate is also in better health.

— Jim Jaqua, Keizer

What is the big deal about age? Mix good eating habits and some exercise with judicious use of modern pharmaceuticals and voila! Boomers and beyond can continue to serve as presidents, senators, CEOs of organizations large and small. But maybe a nap now and again would be nice.

— Kathleen Mason, Salem

I didn’t believe there is a need for a maximum age criteria for a president. I believe if a candidate is capable of running our country based on experience and skills, then so be it. Ageism shouldn’t be tolerated at any level. Mindset and experience should be just a few of the criteria. Also, we need a leader who doesn’t show any signs of bigotry, racism, sexism and other unacceptable behavior.

— Kris Adams, Keizer

Old age isn’t what it used to be. Look at the list of the 10 oldest men to be sworn in as president of the United States. Four of them have served in my lifetime (57). The oldest was Ronald Reagan (69+349 days). He also was the oldest when he finished serving (77+349 days). His memory problems, especially in the latter years, are famous. Yet his place in history is fairly positive and secure.

— David Sanford, Salem

I think the maximum age to run for president should be 75. This doesn’t come out of a state of ageism, because I know that a 78-year-old would probably be perfectly capable of running the country. But I believe we need a president who is statistically less likely to be affected in the long term by illness or potential injury.

— Brit McGinnis, Portland

I think the president needs to be healthy enough to do the job, but this latest health issue is just a distraction and a media headline getter. Of course we’ll probably never know what’s really wrong with Hillary, but President Roosevelt had no use of his legs and he served.

— Loren Wright, Salem

People do seem to be living longer nowadays, but since the job of president is very stressful, I think there should be an age limit of sorts. President Roosevelt died in office at a time when the country really needed him, but we did manage to get through World War II. As long as the person is in good, reliable health, there should be no problems. But I would like to see an age limit of some sort.

— Kent Wilson, Salem

Age alone should not be dispositive. However, I believe that all nominees to the presidency must be required to disclose five years of detailed medical and tax records at the outset. It is up to the parties to choose their champion. It is up to us to decide between them. We need more info and fewer circus acts.

— Maren Wryn, Salem

With “70” the new “50” and many enjoying healthy active lives as they knock off the decades, there should be no maximum. Perhaps passing a driver’s license test might be a better test of suitability, but then neither chauffeur-driven Trump nor Clinton could pass the New York City driver’s test!

I would prefer the minimum age set at 50 so candidates have more real-life experience.

— G. Mick McLean, Lincoln City

For the past 24 years we have had relatively young presidents. Bill Clinton was 46, George Bush was 54 and Barack Obama was 47 when he took office. Both of the current candidates have far greater problems than their age. The silver lining may be only one term for whoever gets elected.

— Richard Pine, Salem

Presidential candidates are older because they need time to make a name for themselves and get out their political agendas. There are very few JFKs and Obamas. It takes time to learn the political savvy needed, get your party backing and be able to raise the money needed. Older politicians have weathered many political storms and hopefully have a clearer idea of what they’re getting into.

— Emily Duerfeldt, McMinnville

As a gerontologist, I find your three questions to be embarrassingly ageist. 1) Ageism works both ways: You’re too young/old for this job! 2) If purposeful, satisfying work is available, why retire? 3) A maximum age to work would eliminate amazing accomplishments (Herman Wouk just authored another book at age 100).

— David Haber, Salem

It takes a long time for a candidate to build the “creds” for a run at the presidency, generally including experience in a number of high-level government jobs. The experience factor is different this year though the years needed for credibility and recognition remain the same. Thus, the candidates are around age 70 and health is an issue to be considered by voters, but not mandated — not yet.

— Woody Tiernan, Dallas

No maximum age. Folks age differently. Let the voters make the decision.

— Fred VanNatta, Salem

If the candidates were younger and there hadn’t been any incidents concerning the question of their health, this probably wouldn’t be an issue. As far as the maximum age of a candidate, I don’t think this is necessary. I think the electorate will sort this issue out for themselves. I know of much younger people who would not be able to stand the rigors of this office.

— Larry R. George, Salem

Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy had ailments they kept secret, yet they are regarded as great presidents. It matters whether candidates have a terminal illness or Alzheimer’s, but other than that, can we and the press start focusing on facts and issues rather than irrelevant distractions and false equivalencies? Unlikely.

— Paul Krissel, Salem

Most of the age, medical and fitness issues are media-made issues, and that isn’t bad until it becomes manic. Politicians have a trust issue and that feeds into the disclosure frenzy. There is still a valid concern about fitness when a candidate is over 65 to 70 simply because humans are more vulnerable (remember Reagan). Voters then need to pay more attention to the VP candidates.

— Lew Hundley, Salem

Age is just a number. If you’re physically and mentally healthy, it doesn’t matter. I’ll take Donald Trump, who is visibly healthy, over Hillary, whose health seems to be publicly falling apart before our eyes despite numerous bad attempts to cover it up.

— Dorian Atkins, Salem

No maximum age limit is needed because it is up to the voters to elect the person most competent to be president. But having a current events litmus test for voters might be a good idea and cause us to read up on the facts tossed around by the candidates.

— Patt Wilson, Keizer

The point of this sickness fuss is to undermine the strength of the opponent and to make us all believe they cannot serve as president or will die in office. Pure politics. If the candidate was younger, the politics would be the person is too young or inexperienced to serve. We have had many ill presidents like JFK,Wilson and more, many men who have fainted. Senior Bush passed out in Japan.

— Ann Watters, Salem

There should be no maximum age for president. The average has been 55. When Washington was elected, at 57, the male lifespan in Europe was 33 years. In the USA today it is nearly 77. If a candidate, no matter the age, is deemed unfit for office it should be the American people and their elected representatives who make the call — not the calendar.

— Steve Baxter, Salem

The Constitution does not have a maximum age limit for presidential candidates. I’d hope “health vetting” would be done by the political parties in the nomination process and the campaign itself should also surface health issues. The People expect to elect a person who can do the job. Hillary still needs to prove herself physically capable.